In another, he is standing fresh from the water in a wetsuit with what appears to be archaeological finds clutched in his fists.

He is also pictured suited up and climbing into a combine harvester with a quote which states the importance of bread, reports Steve Rosenberg on Twitter , and another shot sees him wearing a camouflage parka on horseback.

One of the images sees Putin relaxing thoughtfully up a tree (Image: Twitter)

Putin strapped into a light plane with a fluffy crane by his side (Image: Twitter)

Decked out in camouflage, Putin rides a black steed (Image: Twitter)

In an image of him dressed as a fighter pilot, he says that "the aim is the create the kind of army which will guarantee Russia's sovereignty,the respect of her partners and a stable peace".

But anyone thinking this is a new, considered view for the statesman considered broadly anti-West should read his closing remarks carefully.

In his wetsuit, Putin triumphantly holds what look like archaeological finds (Image: Twitter)

Suited and booted, the president gets into a combine harvester in a wheat field

The caption on this one warns against those who would "threaten" Russia (Image: Twitter)

The image of him in a suit and sunglasses looking ahead to 2018 appears beside the words: "Russia is a peace-loving and a self-sufficient country.